Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) would sail through the Senate confirmation process if President Barack Obama nominates him for secretary of state or defense, lawmakers from both parties said Thursday.

“I think that he would be an excellent choice, and I would think that he would be overwhelmingly supported,” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said during POLITICO’s “Energy and the Presidency” policy discussion.

“I think he would be confirmed, but you have to go through the process and see what happens,” Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said.

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) praised Kerry, adding that the senator understands the geopolitical implications of energy — an issue that he said will become increasingly important in the coming years.

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) joked, “I’ll vote for Sen. Kerry.” He doesn't have a say in the matter — only the Senate votes on confirmations.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 2:53 p.m. on November 15, 2012.